Question about road markings in UK

If the zig zag lines are at pedestrian crossings, don't park on the zig zag lines or pass cars stopped. A ped could be crossing.

I will take a quick shot at this , but there are people on this site who are likely better informed . On my first trip to London , I noticed this and was told by a policeman near St James's that it indicated a no stopping zone .

I agree with Steven. It is a no parking, no stopping, no waiting. Has nothing to do with pedestrian.

Karen,

Is the top picture on THIS website what you're referring to? As mentioned in the previous reply, I also believe the zig-zag patterns are used at the approaches to pedestrian zones, and mean No Stopping / Parking. Hopefully Nigel or one of the other U.K. members here can confirm that.

In Ken's reference, I can see where the zig-zag is associated with pedestrian crossing but the purpose of the zig-zag in this picture is to prevent parking in an area that could block the view of the crossing. But it is also used at other no parking locations. Where is Nigel when we need him?

http://www.2pass.co.uk/crossing.htm#.U3ku8rAU_yo Just found this , seems to get to the bottom of this .

Just a suggestion, but you might have wanted to post this in the England, Scotland or Ireland forum as this question is specific to the UK....And here's a UK reference on the lines...and indeed it means no parking.

Pam

Yes, Ken that's what I'm asking about.

hmmm. I thought I did post on the England page. Next time I'll do better....

Pamela's link on the line explains it best. No parking so Pedestrians can better see oncoming traffic. Maybe San Francisco needs these, as it seems that about once a week on the news, another pedestrian is hit by a car, bus, or bicycle.

Looks like it might catch on............http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/northern_virginia/2009/experimental_pavement_markings_aimed39774.asp

I also saw zig zag center lines on Big Island roads. Hawaii County in the State of Hawaii uses zigzag lines to slow down traffic at intersections. Apparently drivers seeing the zig zag lines think what the zig and retard their speed.

Actually they mean more than just no parking. It's no stopping, standing, etc. It's to give a clear visual field to people using crosswalks, school entrances, and such so they don't swiped coming out from behind an obstructing vehicle.

Ed's correct about stopping or standing. The Oregon vehicle code defines:
"Stand or standing means the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers. ". ORS 801.505

Now that clarified, here in Oregon, pedestrians in crosswalks have the legal right of way and vehicles are to STOP for pedestrians.

Does any one know if pedestrians in the UK have the right of way? I don't tested it by challenging a motor vehicle but do put my foot into the roadway with a catstep to see if they stop.

They do unless they're moving in opposition to a traffic control device. If there's a marked crosswalk with no other control, the zebra lines win. If there's no crosswalk marked, cars win. Sometimes there's light poles on the centerline in the crosswalk -- I've never hived out the pattern for the use of those.

I've never seen the rule laid out for a road in the middle of nowhere, but walkers seem to wait and watch for a safe opportunity. Drivers seem to expect them to do so.

It's been a while since I learned to drive, but as I remember the rules in the UK are that at zebra crossings, if you see a pedestrian crossing or waiting to cross you MUST stop (this gives British people a nasty surprise in other European countries where zebra crossings have no legal force); and if you are turning from one road into another you must stop for pedestrians in the act of crossing. Otherwise vehicles have priority over pedestrians.

The road user there first has the right of way in the absence of road markings, signs, directions by police etc, whether that be car / pedestrian ...

With Zebras though traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing, so just standing on the pavement next to them doesn't require the traffic to stop, although many drivers will (and then be a bit annoyed if the person really doesn't want to cross!).

It might be worth at this moment mentioning a related but different road marking with a similar result.

There is, in London, an increasing trend over the past few years to install what are known as "box junctions". At intersections where traffic can back up into the intersection and block cross traffic, or where the authorities want a bit more cash from the long suffering motorist (but would never admit it), they paint a large rectangular yellow box in the intersection and fill the box with yellow cross hatch markings. A vehicle entering the intersection must at no time come to a complete stop, however momentarily, with any part of their vehicle within the box. Practically speaking that means that you mustn't enter the junction until you are positive that you will clear it - that there is room for your vehicle at the other side. You will also find cars will follow others in and go ever so slowly so they get through but don't completely come to a halt.

Many yellow box junctions are patrolled by cameras or very occasionally a human policewo/man.